Five Reasons Not to Join the Love Like Steel Trail
1. No one has ever done this before. (I think.) It might not catch on. It might take a while.
2. The increased foot traffic from Love Like Steel may or may not help your bottom line. You won’t make much on the books themselves. The hope is that Love Like Steel will attract out-of-town book lovers—or just lovers—who will peruse your shelves and buy a few other titles, but it’s too early to tell for sure.
3. Having to deal with books on consignment. Maybe it feels like a hassle to you. When Love Like Steel sales volume increases, we can switch to regular ordering, but we’ll probably do consignment for a while, first.
4. It might not fit with your store’s persona. I wouldn’t have reached out to you if I felt like it didn’t fit, but you know you best. If the Love Like Steel Journey clashes with the customer experience you aim to deliver, you risk brand dilution. Don’t do it. Be distinct! Your customers love you for it!
5. Dealing with disappointed customers. Someone cleans out your stock of Love Like Steel books and, before the next shipment arrives, someone comes in hoping to buy one. You’re all out. They can’t get it online, and they just drove 85 miles. You explain their option to pay in-store and receive a copy directly from the author, signed by the author, with a special bookmark included. Shipping paid by the author. Maybe they’re delighted. Maybe they’re disappointed. Probably a little of both….until they discover the journal. Then, I bet it’s all smiles. They know they’re in good hands.